How to start & grow a YouTube channel for your sewing | FIVE tips for success…
YouTube notified me at the end of 2024 that I have been uploading to their platform for FIVE WHOLE YEARS!! Although I had a rough idea of how long I’d been going with this, seeing it written down in an actual email really made me feel quite proud. I started YouTube very much with a bit of a ‘let’s see how this goes’ type of attitude, I never intended to make it part of my work and I never, ever thought I would get used to editing videos (more on that later!). I was inspired to share more about my YouTube journey because, also at the end of 2024 I had a fair few people say to me that they would like to start their own channel but they don’t know where to start, didn’t have the confidence etc etc.
So, in this blog post I’m going to be talking through FIVE things you might want to consider if you would like to start your own sewing YouTube channel. And, at the end, I’ll be getting personal and sharing some of my biggest struggles and insecurities and how I overcame them…
Just so you know, I do have a corresponding YouTube video on this topic which you can watch here if you’d like to 🙂
So before we get into the nitty-gritty of the five topics, I just want to share a quick disclaimer that I, by no means, consider myself an expert on the subject of YouTube! Far from it in fact, I’m still very much learning. My channel is also not by any means huge by YouTube standards but it has grown more than I ever hoped that it would and, as with my sewing, I always like to share my own experience in the hope that it might help and inspire you in some way as a person who’s also been there. So, I hope that if you are where I was five years ago, you might find something in this blog that’s helpful to you!
So, let’s get into it shall we, this will be quite a ‘wordy’ blog but I’ll try as far as I can to make it as readable as possible…
So, why might you want to start a sewing YouTube channel??
Let’s talk a little bit about why you or why ‘one’ might want to start a sewing YouTube channel and I’ll start with MY why.
So, for me, when I started to get back into dressmaking and my obsession with it began to grow, I found YouTube massively inspirational. It was helpful for finding tips and tutorials whenever I needed help with anything or if ever I needed to learn something new, but actually the videos I mostly loved and tended to binge watch were the ones where people would share their own makes. For example, what they had been sewing, the fabrics they had used and how they had found the sewing process. This really opened my eyes to the types of garments I could sew and the amount of wonderful sewing patterns there are available.
I found it particularly helpful when people were honest about their makes and talked through any difficulties and struggles they had with the sewing too. I remember watching these videos thinking ‘oh I wish I could do that, I wish I could share my makes in that way’ and actually being part of that whole YouTube world actually looked really fun!
For me, another thing that really appealed to me was that being on YouTube would give me the platform or the opportunity to talk about sewing to my heart’s content. In my ‘real life’, at the time I didn’t really know anyone who was as into sewing as me so I couldn’t just sit and chat about it to anyone else that really got it. Being part of this new ‘virtual’ sewing world would give me the opportunity to speak to people who got it as much as I did.
Later on, and as my sewing experience grew, I also realised that sharing my makes and sewing experiences on YouTube was a great way to help and inspire others to sew or to grow in their sewing and I love that.
YouTube as a source of income…
Another reason you might want to start a YouTube channel is to make money or as a side hustle to your 9-5, stay at home motherhood or whatever else you might be doing. I feel like sometimes there can be a bit of ‘hush hush’ around the fact that people can be on YouTube to make money. Especially in the crafting sector, it can feel as though you have to say that you’re doing it ‘simply because you love it’ or ‘as a hobby’ but actually having a YouTube channel can be a great way to earn yourself either a full wage or additional income depending of course on how seriously you want to take it. YouTube forms a large part of my monthly income now and I’m proud of that fact.
YouTube for community…
Lastly, there’s the community side around having a YouTube channel. Having a YouTube channel is a great way to form connections with other people who share the same love for sewing or for your interest as you do. It’s lovely for me now that I’ve got to the stage where I do feel as though I’m actually talking to people I kind of know a little bit – regular people comment and relationships are formed. It’s very sociable in a strange, virtual reality sort of way.
What you need or do not need to start your own channel, equipment etc
So, let’s move on to some of the equipment you might need to start your own channel. Actually, you barely need anything to get started, other than a phone with a camera and the ability to record video. In fact, if that’s all you’ve got, it’s better to start with what you have and see if you actually like and enjoy making videos before investing in other equipment. If you are going down the route of just using your phone then you’ll also need a video editing app, iMovie, Adobe Premier Rush, CapCut, Power Director, InShot and Splice are all great ones to look at.
If you do decide to go down the route of filming with a ‘proper’ camera, you’ll need a means of transferring the camera files onto your laptop or phone and an editing programme or app that will allow you to edit your videos.
I started out with an Olympus Pen 9 camera (which I already owned) and using Adobe Premier Rush on my laptop to edit. This programme has since deceased and I now use Davinci Resolve which is free and, I think better, so I’d recommend having a look at that one. Obviously using any form of video editing software is going to take a little bit of learning so, if like me at the beginning, you’re not particularly technical or familiar with this kind of thing, I’d advise you to go with the most simple of editing programmes and give yourself time to learn!
The first time I came to edit one of my own videos I felt totally overwhelmed. I even told my husband I hated it and wouldn’t be doing it ever again. But, with time and practice I got there. Giving yourself time to learn and play around with the editing process is so important but you’ll be surprised at how quickly you’ll pick it up I think.
If, after a bit of practice, you do decide that actually you’re loving this whole YouTube thing and you want to take it further, then the next thing I would invested in are some reasonably priced mobile lights. Mine collapse and pack away into a bag when I’m not using them and they aren’t as expensive as you think. I film pretty much everything in my dining room so I need something that’s easy to pop up and pack down as and when I’m filming. I’ve linked some lights similar to mine here.
After a bit of time, I also invested in a good microphone. Using the camera or phone audio alone can result in quite a quiet video or an uneven sound quality. Sound was one of the most difficult things to get right with my videos but I’m pretty happy with it now – most of the time! I use a lav mic which clips onto my clothing and sits on top of my camera. You can also play around with sound in your editing programme but don’t worry about that too much at the start. I’ve linked the microphone I use here.
Having a few memory cards, camera batteries and somewhere external to store your video files can also be helpful if you really get into this but I won’t go into detail on those things in this video blog because it could become overwhelming and we are talking about starting out here after all!
Considering your audience and video topics…
A really helpful thing to do is to think about who you are going to be speaking to in your videos. As an obvious example, that would be fellow sewists or people who also make their own clothes. BUT, on a deeper level, are you an advanced sewist who wants to help beginners? Are you someone who has suffered with your mental health and sewing has helped you through a difficult time and now you want to share that in the hope it might help others? Are you a designer who wants to get their patterns out there? Do you have a passion for sewing vintage patterns or up-cycling pre-loved garments? Really think about what your ‘why’ is. For example, why do you sew, what makes you unique and different and what do you have to share.
Maybe it’s just that you have fun sewing what you sew and you want to share it with the world and that’s fine too – it doesn’t have to be deep and meaningful – but it can be if you want it to be!
Thinking about video topics…
With regard to planning video topics, think about things that really interest you!
For me, one of the topics I like to watch and make videos about is the Sew the Trends type videos. I love to see what’s trending on the High Street and find patterns and fabrics to match garments inspired by those trends. These videos aren’t necessarily for everyone because not everyone cares what’s around on the Hight Street, but for me it’s a really interesting topic and therefore I enjoy the research and creation of these types of videos.
I also like to do Hight Street hack videos where I make something inspired by a garment I’ve seen on the Hight Street and these videos really fun and challenging to me. But, let me tell you, the first time I put one of those video out, I was terrified because they were both quite different to what was generally already being put out in the sewing world and I wondered how they would be received – there was a lot of imposter syndrome there let me tell you!
I’m pleased to say that these types of videos are amongst the most watched in terms of video topic on my channel and that’s given me the encouragement to make more. Had I not gone with what I felt passionate about, I would never have known that people would actually enjoy watching, and had I stuck to filming videos that didn’t challenge me, I might very well have given up on YouTube all together. Don’t get bored with it, if you’re making videos on topics you aren’t particularly interested in because you think it’s the norm or because you think you should, you’re not going to want to film them and even more-so, you’re not going to want to sit and edit them!
How to grow and build engagement on your channel…
Again, at this point, I just want to say that I am not an expert here! This area is something I feel like I’m expanding my knowledge in of all the time, but I can share a few things that have helped me in the past.
In terms of engagement it’s always nice to ask questions within your video, making it a two way thing. I like to do this because then I don’t feel like I’m just sitting talking AT someone (or just myself). I’m always really interested in my viewers thoughts and opinions and asking a question can be great conversation starters in the comments section of your videos too. A couple of examples might be, asking for help with something you’re stuck on, asking for a pattern suggestion for something you want to sew and asking your audiences opinion on what fabric you should use for a particular garment if you’re indecisive.
Reply to every single comment, as far as you can. I always, always try as far as I can to do this because I think that if someone is taking the time to comment on my video I should also take the time to reply. I also love to chat in the comments anyway so that makes it nice and easy.
Share your videos on any social media platforms you have! If you have Instagram, post it on your stories or in a post or a reel. Ask people to share your video, that always helps and it’s great for the YouTube algorithm as well.
Ask people to like and subscribe. I’m no expert on the YouTube algorithm but the more likes, comments, shares and engagements you get, the more your video is going to get pushed out to other people who might be interested in your video topic.
Making sure you are using relevant keywords in your title is always helpful, so make sure you’re including words in your title that describe who your video is for and what it includes.
This can be a tough one but asking for feedback on your videos is always helpful. Constructive criticism can usually be a good thing. Asking what people would like to see from you is also really helpful – maybe you’ve posted something on Instagram that people would like to see more of, or something you can help them learn. This also helps you to plan for future video content.
So, what’s stopping you from taking the leap to actually starting – sharing from personal experience here...
Fear of how you look (and sound) physically
This is a massive one isn’t it and let me tell you it’s one I really struggled with. I’d say I was considering starting my channel a good three years before I actually did it and one of the big reasons for that is essentially that I am very shy, or I WAS very shy. I was one of those people who would avoid having their photo taken at all costs, point a camera at me and my family will tell you I turn into Chandler from Friends, I just cannot smile directly into a camera.
But, somehow, thankfully I managed to get over that and, I would now say that posting on YouTube and on Instagram has done me the world of good in terms of confidence. I’m much less self conscious and much more confident with those things now and that has just come with doing it more and more. Do not let this stop you! No one will be looking at you thinking that you look anything other than lovely and actually it’s a great way to stop taking yourself so seriously in the long run (I promise!).
I want to just touch on sound too. Please be aware that the first time you have to edit your video back and listen to your own voice you will find it painful – or I did anyway! After all, is there a person on this planet that likes the sound of their own voice, I don’t think I’ve found one yet. Similar to the physical appearance thing, you just have to get over this and again, the more you do it, the more used to how you sound you will become and I promise it will get less and less awful! After a while I really do think you learn a little more about how to project your voice too which has been a great thing for quiet little old me!
Fear of how you will be perceived/imposter syndrome
Ah, the old ‘what will people think of me’ if I actually do this. Another one that bothered me a lot and stopped me from posting for ages. I was worried that people would look at me and be thinking ‘oh who does she think she is starting a YouTube channel’ etc etc and sometimes it can actually be those closest to us that were the most fearful of, friends, family, work colleagues etc.
Again, don’t let any of these fears stop you. Your friends and family will or at least SHOULD be very proud of you for what you are doing. Also, at the risk of sounding a little harsh, what we all need to realise sometimes, is that no one cares that much! My family and friends thought it was a bit of a novelty when I first started my channel, now it’s just what I do and no one bats an eyelid. It doesn’t take long for it to become the norm once you get going and mostly people are far too concerned with what’s going on in their own lives to worry too much about what you’re doing.
It’s also really important to realise that you do not need to be an expert before you start! People love the journey, I love to watch people grow. If you’re a beginner, learning as you go, share the experience with us, it’s nothing short of inspiring to anyone wanting to learn (again – I promise!)
Fear of the haters!
Before I started my channel, if ever I mentioned I was thinking about starting a YouTube channel, I often got the response ‘aren’t you scared of all the haters out there’? Aren’t you scared about getting horrible comments or negative feedback? Or something along those lines at least.
The honest response to all of these questions was YES! Actually that did scare me, quite a lot. However, I have to say that overall I’ve found the YouTube sewing community to be nothing other than a friendly and supportive place. Obviously I’ve had the odd comment here and there from someone who thought I spoke for too long, didn’t like the sponsor I’d chosen to partner with etc but nothing TOO awful thankfully.
My worst experience if you’re wondering, was when I once had a comment from someone about my voice sounding horrible, which at the time was just the worst thing ever for me because how my voice sounded was always one of my biggest insecurities.
Unfortunately, when or if you do get any negative comments, they are usually the ones that stick, no matter how many other lovely and encouraging comments you might have had and for a little while, getting that horrible comment did make me question my life choices! Thankfully though I managed to pull myself together, balance out the whole experience and get right on with the task at hand (making more fun sewing videos of course).
With experience, I think you learn, that if someone is going to leave a nasty comment on your channel it’s more often about them than it is about you. After all, how much of your time and energy have you ever wasted being intentionally nasty about someone on a YouTube video? I’m willing to bet not a lot because you’re probably a nice person and not only that, you actually have better things to do…
I now have the attitude that if someone doesn’t like me or my channel or even my voice, they don’t have to watch. There are hundreds, possibly thousands of other YouTuber’s they could watch. If you don’t like what you see then move on. Nastiness for the sake of it is just not worth your time!
Don’t focus on view count (at least at first)…
When you start posting videos, YouTube does this lovely thing of telling you, after an hour or so of going live, how your video is performing in comparison to other videos you’ve put out. Think, 1 of 10, 5 of 10 or the dreaded 10 of 10 – ugh!! In the early days, I put out a video which I felt really bombed. It was 10 of 10 for ages and gained traction really slowly and I was so disappointed (and yes, for a while again I did question my life choices!). Now, however, it’s one of my best performing videos over time – it just took a while to get going.
Sometimes, videos need a while to pick up speed so don’t focus on the view count especially when you are new! As you grow, people will watch one of your videos and then go back and watch more if they like what they see, which in turn, can increase the view count on some of your older videos.
As you grow, this funny little report can be helpful in helping you decide what types of content is performing well and what you should make more or less of of but that’s a topic for another day…
Fear of learning something new
I touched on this earlier but learning how to edit videos has probably been one of the hardest and best things I’ve ever done. Yes, learning the programme and the technicalities can be difficult but once you get past that, editing videos can be another form of creativity. I now love adding music, text, pictures etc to my videos to make them more engaging and you never know you might feel the same! And, it’s another life skill you get to add to your belt!
Absolutely be yourself!
It can be tempting when filming videos, and I know I felt this at first, to feel like you have to be this loud, bubbly, funny personality when actually you are a shy little introvert (me) or to think that you have to be totally professional sounding at all times but that really isn’t the case.
Obviously, to a certain extend you want to come across polished and maybe slightly more professional than you might be in real life but you also want to let your personality shine through whether that be quiet or loud, organised or scatty! It’s also important to remember that imperfection is real (something I’ve struggled with in the past as a perfectionist). I used to be so tempted to edit out every word fumble and every mistake but actually it’s those things that make you real and what people will most identify with. You might not be everyone’s cup of tea, I’m sure I’m certainly not but you will be someones or more than someones. Don’t hide who you really are because if nothing else, you wont be able to keep it up for long!
Ok, I think I’ll end this blog now because I do feel as though I could be in danger of waffling and we are already spanning a lot of pages here!
I hope if you’re thinking about starting your own YouTube channel you found something in there that has encouraged you to get started. Do let me know if there are any areas of this blog you would like to expand on and maybe we can cover those in the future…
If you do start your channel or if you do already have one, let me know, I’d love to support you!
Lot’s of love
Sally xx
Subscribe to my monthly newsletter